An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City killed at least 15 Palestinians on Saturday, according to Hamas. This attack followed two strikes in the occupied West Bank that killed nine militants, including a local Hamas commander.
The Israeli military stated that the first West Bank airstrike targeted a militant cell allegedly en route to carry out an attack near Tulkarm. Hamas confirmed one of those killed was a commander of its Tulkarm brigades, while Islamic Jihad claimed the other four men as its fighters. A second airstrike in the area targeted another group of militants who had reportedly fired on troops.
In Gaza, the Israeli military claimed the targeted school was being used as a Hamas command center, to hide militants, and manufacture weapons. Hamas has consistently denied such accusations regarding civilian facilities.
These strikes occur amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, raising fears of a wider Middle East conflict. Diplomatic efforts by the U.S. and international partners continue to prevent further regional escalation.
Hamas announced it has begun a “broad consultation process” to choose a new leader following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel for the killing and vowed retaliation, while Israel has neither claimed nor denied responsibility.
The Gaza conflict, now approaching its 11th month, has resulted in at least 39,550 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials. The offensive was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, which killed 1,200 people and saw 250 abducted, according to Israeli tallies.
Ceasefire negotiations remain challenging, with both Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accusing each other of impeding progress. A high-level Israeli delegation briefly visited Cairo on Saturday in an attempt to resume talks.
International diplomatic efforts continue, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaging with French and British counterparts on the need for a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Egypt’s foreign minister stressed to Iran’s acting foreign minister the “unprecedented, very dangerous” nature of recent developments in the region.
